# ordinary

/ˈɔɹdəˌnɛɹi/ (US) · /ˈɔːdɪnəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ordinary
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. normal or common

adjective · CEFR A2

not different or special in any way; usual and normal.

For teachers: belonging to a standard or customary type; lacking distinctive or special characteristics.

- It was just an ordinary day at work until the surprise party started.
- The film explores how ordinary people react when placed in extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.

### 2. plain or boring

adjective · CEFR B1

not very good or interesting; plain.

For teachers: lacking interest or quality; often used with a slightly negative tone to suggest something is uninspired.

- The meal was quite ordinary, and I wouldn't go back to that restaurant.
- Critics dismissed the novel as an ordinary thriller that failed to offer any new insights into the genre.

### 3. bad or unpleasant

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Dialect

used to describe something that is poor quality or makes you feel bad.

For teachers: denoting something of poor quality or an unpleasant state of affairs.

- I've been feeling a bit ordinary all morning, so I might stay home.
- The team's performance was pretty ordinary, leading to a disappointing loss in the final minutes of the game.

Teaching tip: This usage is particularly common in Australian and New Zealand English to describe feeling unwell or a poor performance.

### 4. a person with authority

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a person who has the power to make legal or religious decisions.

For teachers: an officer who has immediate jurisdiction in their own right, such as a judge or a bishop.

- The case was brought before the ordinary for a final decision.
- In ecclesiastical law, the bishop acts as the ordinary for his diocese, exercising regular jurisdiction over its members.

### 5. religious service

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the parts of a church service that stay the same every time.

For teachers: the parts of the Mass or Divine Office that do not vary from day to day.

- The choir practiced the Ordinary of the Mass for the upcoming holiday.
- The composer focused his efforts on setting the five movements of the Ordinary, ensuring the music remained consistent throughout the liturgical year.

## Examples

- It was just an ordinary day at the office.
- The detective noticed that the suspect was wearing ordinary clothes to avoid standing out in the crowd.
- While the exterior of the building looks quite ordinary, the interior features some of the most innovative architectural designs of the modern era.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.